Timpview Jonathan Nelson Qualifies for Nike Cross Nationals

Southwest Region Championship
Regional Meet: November 22, 2008 at Tempe AZ

Colorado - Utah - New Mexico - Arizona - Nevada - Wyoming

Two teams and five individuals will qualify for NXN national finals December 6, 2008 at Portland OR

Timpview senior Jonathan Nelson continued to add accolades to an already tremendous season. Competing in only his second full cross country season, Nelson dominated at the Southwest Region Championships placing 2nd overall. Nelson completed the 5000 meter Kiwanis Park course in one of the fastest times in course history, 15:15.7. Nelson finished 2nd to Wheat Ridge CO senior Dart Schwaderer, 15:15.0.

Following a stellar 2007 campaign in which Nelson won the 4A State Championship the Thunderbird set his sites on the 2008 season. Coming into the 2008 season it was clear Nelson would be a force to be reckoned with within the State of Utah. A senior season of stellar performances has brought Nelson to the National spotlight.

After winning the prestigous BYU and Bob Firman Invitationals, Nelson breezed through the Utah state course in 15:17, one of the top five individual performances all-time, ranking up there with some sound company including National finalists Josh Rohatinsky, Luke Puskedra, and Stephen Clark. A further indicator of Nelson's talent came early in the season at the Bob Firman Invitational when he defeated Nat#1 North Central's standout Andrew Kimpel. Kimpel recently placed 4th in the NXN Northwest Region Championship. Nelson will look to Portland Meadows to put a final stamp on an already stellar season.

The NXN Region Championship system was the first step to awarding a true National Championship team. New to 2008, an individual componant was added to the NXN format bringing a true National Championship system to high school cross country. The top five individuals not competing on a qualifying team will also qualify to compete for the 2008 NXN National Cross Country Championship.

With his 2nd place showing at the NXN Southwest Championships Nelson has qualified to compete at the Nike Cross National Championships. Nelson becomes the first Utah athlete to qualify in the new NXN individual system putting him at the forefront in a new era for prep cross country. (Photo by Alan Versaw, Colorado Milesplit)

Boys Individuals

1.) Dart Schwaderer, Wheat Ridge, CO, 15:15.0
2.) Jonathan Nelson,  Timpview, UT, 15:15.7
3.) Wade Meddles, Falcon Cross, NV, 15:20
4.) Kyle Pittman, Los Alamos XC Club, NM, 15:24
5.) Kevin Johnson, Falcon,15:26

Complete Results